Elastic-fluid turbine.



F. E. NORTON. BLASTIOFLUID TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31-, 1913.

1,091 ,01 1 Patented Mar. 24, 1914.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Fig. V 3

P. E. NORTON. ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLIGATION FILED MAR. a1. 1913.

Patented Mar. 24, 19M

3 EHBETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor:

Wor-bon Witnesses:

' F. E. NORTON. ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLIUATION FILED MAR.31,1913.

1 1 0 1 1 Patented Mar. 24, 1914,

3SHEETESHE ET 3.

lru/erwbcaw r-"ed E Nor-bon nnirnn snares rnrnnr onrioa FRED E. NORTON, 0.1? LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNQR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC CGMPANY, A CORPORATION OF YORK.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 24, 1914:.

Improvements in Elastic-Fluid Turbines, of

which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates toimultlstage elastic fluid'turbmes, and has for its object to improve the construction and operation thereof, and also to improve the regulating mechanism therefor so that the same machine can be satisfactorily utilized as a high pressure condensing unit, as a high pressure non-condensing unit, and as an extraction machine supplying steam from some intermediate stage for heating, cooking, or other industrial purposes. In certain of its aspects my invention may be considered as an improvement over that disclosed in my application for Letters Pat ent Serial No. 741,442, filed January 1.1, .1913. v

For the consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is dirooted to the accompanying description and claims appended thereto.

in the accompanying dIElWll'lgS which illustrate one of vention, Figure l is a partial section of a multi-stage turbine showing the parts arranged for non-condensing operation; Fig. 2 is a detailed View of the pressure regulating mechanism together with the means font-hanging over from condensing to non-condensing operation; F ig. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken on a horizontal plane through the upper left hand portion of Fig. 2'; Fig. 3 is a cross section of the turbine taken online 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking toward. the exhaust end and showing the parts in position for condens ng operation; Fig. l is a partial sectional view showing the parts in position for non-condensing opera tion or foroverload; Fig. 5 is a cross section looking toward the exhaust end of the inachine showing the parts in position for none condensing operation; Fig. 6 a detailed longitudinal view showing a means for yieldingly connecting the and Fig. 7 blue.

parts of the ring or stage valve, is a small plan view of the turthe embodiments of my in- 1 Referring to Fig. 1, 8 indicates the casing of the turbine which is divided by diaphragms 9 and 10 into stages. In these stages are'locatedrotors or bucket wheels 11, 12 and 13. Each of these wheels may be provided with one or more rows of buckets 14. As shown each of the wheels is provided with two rows of buckets with more or less complete rows of intermediate buckets 15 serving'to change the direction of the mo tive'fiuid as it passes from one row of wheel buckets to the other. Motive fluid is admitted to the first wheel by the nozzles 16 and to the second wheel by the stage nozzles 17. The last wheel is provided with two sets of nozzles 18 and'19, the former receiving steam. from the second control of a ring or scribed hereinafter,

stage subject to the stage valve to be deand the latter receiving high pressure steam from the conduit 20 as indicated in Fig. 4E. The admission of high pressure steam to the turbine is controlled by the valve 21 which also controls the passage of steam through the conduit 20 when the turbine is operating noircondensing or when the turbine is operating under overload conditions. The wheels are mounted on the shaft 22 which is supported by suitable bearings carried by the turbine casing or frame. Where the shaft passes through the diaphragms it is provided with packings 23 of anysuitable construct-ion. .The ends of the shaft passing through the casing are also packed in the ordinary manner. The cas ing is provided with two outlet chambers 24 and 25, the former being connected to the conduit 26 through which steam passes to the heating, cooking or other devices requiring relatively low pressure steam. The

chamber 25 is connected to a condenser of any suitable construction.

In order to operate a multistage impulse turbine in the most efficient manner it is necessary to'control the passage of steam through the low pressure nozzles of one or more of the stages. In order to avoid undue complication I have provided a valve for the last stage only. This same valve is also utilized in controlling the pressure of the steam dischar to the extraction conduit 26.

out this feature ofthe invention the inside ged through the chambe'rfli In carrying 29 is a relatively stiti' under certain conditions it may be made in i with ports &3

traction stage to thethird or low pressure stage can be increased or decreased accordfrom the aspect of Q1 1,091,011 of the casing is provided with an annular passage of steam to one of the low pressure wall 27 which is concentric with the ax s nozzles 18 from the second stage. When,

of the shaft. This wall is provided with a plurality of radial ports as \will appear more fully hereinafter. Mounted for engagement-with this annular wall is a ringshaped stage valve 28. The valve is preterably made in two or more parts, each being provided with internal projections'29 as shown in Figs. 3' and 5. These projectionsare united by bolts 30. Between the nut or head of the bolt and one of the projections spring washer 31. The purpose of these washers is to permit the valve as a whole to enlarge slightly thus making a good working fit with the interior of the annular wall or seat 27. This action of the valve parts is due to the fact that, a higher pressure exists on the inside of the valve than on the outside. I have shown the valve as being made in two parts, but

however, the valve is moved in a clockwise direction to its extreme position it controls the passage of exhaust steam from the chamber 25 into the chamber 24 as best shown in Fig. 1, this being the condition when the turbine is operating on the noncondensing plan with the chamber 2a and conduit 26 connected to atmosphere, or in some cases to heating or cooking devices where suitable relief means are provided to take care of any excess steam It will thus be seen that the ports 38 function as exhaust ports, whereas the ports 35, 36 and 37 function assupply ports.

The ring valve is actuated by the following means :-Formed on the valve or at tached thereto is the segment of a gear 45, Fig. 5, which meshes with a rack 46 carried by the rod 47 of the piston 18. The pistonis mounted in a cylinder 49 and the two form a motor. The motor is actuated by steam admitted by the pipe 50 subject to the control of the pilot valve 51. The exhaust'from the motor escapes by the ports 52. The piston rod 47 is extended through a packing i theturbine casing and on its one piece with a slot on one side and a bolt 30 and a spring washer employed to unite the adjacent ends of the valve. Referring to Fig. 3 the valve is provided with four sets of ports 35, 36, 37 and 38. The ports 36 and 37 control the passage of steam from the second stage, which in the present end is provi ed witha block 53 which slides instance is the extraction stage, to the chamin the forked end of a lever 54, the latter hers 39, 40 and il. supplying steam to the third stage nozzles 18. These chambers are formed between the annular wall 27 and the outer wall of the casing proper, there being radial. partitions 42 between the chambers so that each chamber can supply a group of nozzles or nozzle sections. The annular wall 27 is provided with a plurality of radial ports 43 which are controlledby the ring valve. The relation of the. ,ports in the valve to those in the wall 27 is such that by changing the angular position of the valve the amount of steam passing from the .ex-

being pivotally supported by a bracket 55. Pivotally attached to the lever 54L is a floating lever 56, the upper end of which is connected by a link 57 to a rod 58 attached to and moved by a sylphon diaphragm 59, Figs. 2 and 5. The diaphragm or equivalent device acts in opposition to the coiled extension spring 60, the tension of which can be adjusted by the hand wheel 61. Fluid under pressure stage is admitted to the diaphragm 59 by the pipe 62 as shown in Fig. 5. The floating lever 56 is-connected by a rod 63 with the pilot valve 51 controlling the motor. As the pressure in the extraction stage incrr ises it causes the diaphragm to move the stage valve in a manner to increase the amount of steam which passes to the third stage nozzles 18. Conversely as the pressure in the extraction stage decreases the diaphragm moves the pilot valve in a direction to cause the motor to shut oil one or more nozzles 18 or groups of nozzles so that the pressure in the extraction stage will be kept constant. This action is the same whether the ma chine is working as an ordinary high pressure condensing unit or as an extraction machine. I

When a machine which is designed for condensing operation operates as a non-condensing unit a greater amount of steam is required for the same load. For this purpose the conduit 20, Fig. 4, and high presing to the conditions of operation. Viewed as an extraction machine the ring valve acts as an overflow valve to discharge to the chambers 39, 40 and 41 the steam which is not required to maintain a constant pressure in the extraction chamber 2 and the conduit 26 connected therewith. Viewed a high pressure condens ing unit the ring valve acts to put in service the proper number of third stage nozzles to convey the steam discharged from the second stage and at the same time maintain a constant pressure in said second stage. I As before stated, the valve is also provided with one or more ports 38 which register in the annular wall 27. Of the ports 38, the right hand one, when in the position shown in Fig. 3-, controls the from the second or extraction i that the esson sure nozzles 19 are provided which in effect convert the last wheel from a low to a high pressure wheel, the said nozzles 19 having the proper ratlo of expansion between the throat and the discharge end to reduce the pressure of the steam to substantially that of the exhaust. Since the pressure of the steam in the second stage is substantially that ofthe atmosphere or exhaust pressure it is necessary in order to avoid loss incident to the ineffective large part or all of the nozzle 18. To do this it is necessary-to move the ring valve to the position shown in Fig. 5. This is ace complished in a simple manner by the means shown in Figs. 2 and 2 In the end of the link 57 is mounted a stud 64 which carries an eccentric 65. Keyed to the stud andthe eccentric is a handle 66 which is normally held in either of its two positions by the spring pressed latch' 67-.' Cl iis eccentric has the effect of changing the length of the,

link 57 Moving the handle to the position shown in Fig. 2 increases its length and moving it to the opposite position 180 therefrom decreases its length. Assuming piston 48 of the motor is in some intermediate position and it is desired to shift the parts to non-condensing operation (the lower end of the floating lever 56 being fixed and also the right hand end of the link 57), turning the eccentric to the "position shown has the elfect of moving the pilot valve 51 to the left thus admittingsteam from the conduit 50 to the left hand end of the cylinder and causing the piston to move to the right. As the piston starts into operation it moves the rod 47, block 5'3 and lever 54 and floating lever 56 to the right, thus restoring the pilot valve 51 t0 the neutral position which locks the piston 48 in the position shown. It will be noted that the rod 47, block 53, lever 54, lever 56, and rod (33 form a part of a follow-up device for restoring the pilot valve after a predetermined movement of the piston. This follow-up device is effective whether the movement of the piston be due tovthe action of the sylphon diaphragm 59 or the manual actuation of theeccentric 65. I

Assuming the parts to be. in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 for non-condensing operation, all of the steam which passes through'the last wheel collectsin the chamber 25 and passes upwardlythrough the ports 43 in the nnular wall 27, thence through the valve ports 38 into the second stage and to chamber 24, from which it cscapes through the pipe 26 to the atmosphere or to a heating or cooking device, if said pipe is connected therewith. Generally speaking when the turbine is operating as a non- ".ondensing unit it will not be supplying use of steam to cut oil" a valve,

steam for heating purposes, though under certain conditions where suitable relief means are provided for-excess steam itmight do so. When the turbine is operating noncondensing, high pressure isteam passes through the valve 21 to the first stage and also through the conduit20 to' the high pressure nozzles 19 of the third stage.

I have not illustrated. in detail the construction of the valve 21 nor have I illustrated the speed governor for controlling it, since said valve mechanism and governor may beof any suitable or struction.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes l have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination with a multi-stage,

turbine, of a supply valve, ayalve for regulating the passage of fluid between stages, said valve having ports which are normally active in supplying fluid to a later stage and also a port that is normally inactive i'or conveying exhaust fluid from one of the rotors to a chamber, a motor for operating the a means sensitive to pressure changes in one of the stages for normally controlling the motor, and means for rendering said pressure means inoperative-and causing the motor to move the valve to a position where the exhaust port is active. i

2. The combination with a multi -stage turbine, of a supply valve, a valve for regulating the passage of fluid between stages, said valve having ports which are active in supplying fluid to a later stage and also a port that is normally inactive for conveying exhaust fluid from one of the rotors to a chamber, a motor for operating the valve, a means sensitive to pressure changes in one of the stages, a controller for the motor that is connected to andactuated by said pressure responsive means, and means for modifying the connection between the pres sure means and the controller for causing the motor to move the valve to the position where said exhaust port is open.

The combination with a multi -'stage turbine, of a supplyvalve, a valve for regulating the passage of said valve having ports which are normally active in supplying fluid to a later stage and also a port that is normally inactive for con veying exhaust fluid from one of the rotors to a chamber,

which i now consider to fluid between stages,

well known conlating the &

valve, a means sensitive to pressure changes in one of the stages for normally controlling the motor, a floating lever that is moved by the motor and is attached to the pressure responsive means, and means interposed be tween the lever and pressure means for rendering the pressure sensitive means inactive and causing the motor to move the valve to one of its extreme positions.

4. The combination with a multistage turbine, of a supply valve, a valve for regulating the passage of motive fluid between stages, said valve having ports for supplying fluid from one stage to another and a normally inactive port for conveying ex- 'haust from one of the stages when the turbine is operating non-condensing, a motor for operating the valve, a pilot valve for controlling the motor, a means movable in response to changes in stage pressure, a floating lever that is moved by the motor and is connected to the pressure sensitive means and to the pilot valve, and a two-position device that pivotally unites the lever and means and is so arranged that when in one of its positions said means controls the motor through the pilot valve and when in its other position the means is rendered inoperative and the pilot valve moved to a po sition to cause the motor to move to one oi: its extreme positions.

5. The combination with a multi-stage turbine, of a supply valve, a valve for regu passage of motive fluid between stages, said valve having ports for supplying fluid from one stage to another and a normally inactive port for conveying exhaust from one of the stages when the turbine is operating non-condensing, a motor for operating the valve, a pilot valve for controlling the motor, a means movable in response to changes in stage pressure, a floatlever that is moved by the motor and is connected to the pressure sensitive means and to the pilot alve, and an eccentric that pivotally unites the lever and means and which is so arranged that when turned it changes the relation between the pressure sensitive means and the pilot valve.

(5. The combination with a multi-stage turbine having a cylindrical valve seat in one of the stages, a split ring valve that engages the seat and is capable of expanding slightly under fluid pressure, and yielding means that unite the opposed parts of the valve.

7. The combination with a multi-stage turbine having a cylindrical and ported valve seat, a ported ring valve that engages the seat and is divided into separate members, and yielding means that unite said ports and permit the valve to enlarge slightly in response to fluid pressure.

8. The combination with a multi-stage turbine having a cylindrical and ported valve seat, a ported ring valve that engages the seat and is divided into separate members, bolts for unitin valve, and spring washers for the bolts that permit the valve to enlarge slightly in response to fluid Pressure.

9. The combination with a multi-stage turbine having a cylindrical and ported valve seat, a ported ring valvethat engages the seat and is divided into separate members, yielding means that unite said ports and permit the valve to enlarge slightly in response to fluid pressure, a motor for actuating the valve, and gearing between the motor and valve, a part of which is attached to one of the valve members.

10. The combination with'a IIlUl'tl-Stilg turbine arranged to operate condensim and non-condensing and having two fluid discharging outlets, one leading from the low pressure end of the machine, he other from a region of intermediate pressure, means for supplying high pressure motive fluid to the low pressure portion of the machine, and a valve for establishing communication between the rotor chamber of said low pressure portion and the said intermediate pres sure region when the machine is operating non-condensing.

11. In combination, a turbine which is divided into stages, a rotor in each stage, a conduit connecting an intermediate and a low pressure stage, outlets communicating with intermediate and low pressure stages, and a valve controlling the conduit which is closed when the turbine is operating condensing and open when it is operating non condensing.

12. In combination, a turbine which is divided into stages, a rotor in each stage, a conduit connecting an intermediate and a low pressure stage, outlets communicating with intermediate and low pressure stages, a valve controlling the conduit which is closed when the turbine is operating condensing and open when it is operating noncondensing, and means for supplying high pressure motive fluid to the low pressure stage.

13. In combination, a turbine which is divided into stages, rotors for the stages, a condensing outlet, a non-condensing outlet, a conduit connecting said outlets, a valve in the turbine which controls the supply of 1nol l l tive fluid from one stage to another and closes said conduit during condensing operation, means for moving the valve in a manner to open the conduit and also reduce the supply of fluid to the low pressure stage for non-condensing ope *ation, means admitting motivefluid to the turliiine, and

o the members of the means for admitting high to the low pressure stage for operation. 14. In combination, a turbine which is divided into stages, rotors' for the stages, a valve for regulating the pressure in one of the stages which has supply and exhaust v controlling ports,' means for moving the valve in a manner to put the supply or expressure fluid haust ports into service, a condensing outlet, 10 non-condensing a non-condensing outlet, and means or supplying motive fluidto the turbine.

t Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 26 day of March 1913.

FRED E. NORTON. v Witnesses:

ALEX. F. MACDONALD, 7 JOHN A. MoMenns, Jr. 

